Saʽd ibn ʽUbadah ibn Dulaym Al Ansari (Arabic: سعد بن عبادة بن دليم) (d. 637) was the chief of the Sa'ida clan of the Khazraj tribe in Medina in the early seventh century.
They used to provide food during the droughts, to transport the weary, to welcome guests, to give during disasters and to protect the community.
"[4]: 268 His son Qays said that he underwrote the debts of "the most distant relatives" in addition to helping poor people and feeding the community during famines.
"[3]: 478 He was annoyed when Muhammad once described the Abdulashhal clan as the best of the Ansar, followed by the Najjar, the Harith, the Sa'ida and then all the rest.
[2]: 206 Sa'd ibn Ubadah converted to Islam at an early date, in the year before Muhammad's arrival in Medina, and consequently he broke all the idols of the Sa'ida clan.
They captured Sa'd, tied his hands to his neck and brought him back to Mecca, dragging him by the hair and beating him.
Finally Abu'l-Bakhtari ibn Hisham[9]: note 244 took pity on him and asked: "You poor devil, doesn't any Quraysh owe you protection?"
[2]: 495 [7] Every day he sent a bowl of meat stew or clarified butter or milk to Muhammad, who took it with him as he visited each of his wives in turn.
Sa'd advised Muhammad: "Don't be hard on him; for God sent you to us as we were making a diadem to crown him, and he thinks that you have robbed him of a kingdom.
As he was leaving, Sa'd ran up to call him back, explaining: "I did hear you, but I wanted to have a lot of your peace for me and my family.
"[13] Muhammad said, on receiving from him a gift of dates and ten camels for slaughter, "What a good man Sa'd ibn Ubadah is!
Muhammad tried to refuse the gift, for the lost camel had been found, but Sa'd told him: "What you take from our wealth is more precious to us than what you do not take.
"[18] In the early period after Muhammad's arrival, Sa'd urged the Jews of Medina to accept Islam.
[19] Saad's son Qays was among 300 men who were sent under Abu Ubayda ibn al-Jarrah against the Juhayna tribe in October 629.
When Qays returned and told him the story of how Abu Ubayda had halted his spending, Sa'd immediately gave his son four date-orchards so that in future he would have money that was legally his own.
[4]: 519 Abdullah ibn Ubayy encouraged rumours that Muhammad's wife Aisha had committed adultery.
With the two tribes lined up, a Khazraj man unsheathed a sword, announcing, "I will cut off the head of the hypocrite in his hideout!"
[3]: 478 He is listed at Uhud, at Dumat al-Jandal, at the Battle of the Ditch,[3]: 478 at Muraysi,[4]: 199 at Khaybar,[4]: 319, 326 at the Conquest of Mecca,[2]: 549 (at the last three of which he carried the Ansars' banner), at Hunayn[4]: 444 and at Ta'if.
[4]: 456–457 When Muhammad heard that Abu Sufyan's caravan was returning from Syria, he consulted the Muslims over whether to attack.
"[4]: 253 Muhammad set out for Mecca in March 628, during the pilgrimage season, when it was customary for all Arabs to travel unarmed.
[4]: 349 When the Quraysh reminded Muhammad to leave Mecca after the Minor Pilgrimage of 629, Sa'd "was angry when he saw the rudeness of their words to the Prophet."
When Muhammad's closest advisors had all refused to help him, he approached Sa'd ibn Ubadah, saying: "You know that I was your protector in Mecca and you were mine in Medina.
One of them, Yasar ibn Malik, was allocated to Sa'd so that he could read the Quran to him and teach him about Islam.
[4]: 456–457 When Muhammad divided the plunder from the Hawazin, he gave rich gifts to the new converts but nothing to the Ansar of Medina.
Are you disturbed in mind because of the good things of this life by which I win over a people that they may become Muslims while I entrust you to your Islam?
The Ansar wept until the tears ran down their beards as they said: "We are satisfied with God’s Messenger as our lot and portion.
They came at once to investigate the meeting, just as the Ansar were asserting their rights as "God's Helpers and the squadron of Islam" who would not accept immigrants ruling over them.
"[3]: 139 The argument became heated and people began to shout, until the Ansar were "close to a complete breach with the Muhajirun".
[2]: 656 [3]: 479 Umar ended the debate by declaring, "Stretch out your hand, Abu Bakr," and then paying him homage.
When Abu Bakr heard his reply, Bashir ibn Sa'd advised him, "Caliph, he insists on refusing.